binkie7's Weblog

Slipknot - Psychosocial

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 02 Aug 2008 00:12:07 GMT

The boys from Iowa have a new cd coming out Aug. 26th - All Hope is Gone.

I'm loving the one track so far - Psychosocial - kick a**.

Check it out - new masks and all.

click here to watch the included content

They Walk Among Us....

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 23 Jul 2008 22:10:32 GMT

IDIOT SIGHTING: We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two..'

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING: My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window, and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'You gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes, I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said, 'We're sorry, but we cannot do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change.

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

IDIOT SIGHTING: I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

From Kingman , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE: My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

From Kansas City

IDIOT SIGHTING: I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?'

To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'

He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

Happened in Birmingham , AL

IDIOT SIGHTING: The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING: At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker (She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing') our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

IDIOT SIGHTING: I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself, and for the sake of her life couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's office, no less.

IDIOT SIGHTING: When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'it's open!'

His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , MS

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us... they REPRODUCE and scariest of all, they VOTE

New PC Build

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 18 Jul 2008 18:51:28 GMT

My new project recently has been building another pc. I started this project back in December 07 and finally I'm almost done :) I can be a bit of a procrastinator and I finally bought the main stuff like the cpu, mobo & ram, video card about 2 weeks.

Here's what I bought:

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.6 GHz
Mobo - ASUS Striker II Formula
Ram - Corsair Dominator 4 gb DDR2-1066
Video Card - EVGA GeForce 8800GT Akimbo 512 mb
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500 gb
Case - ThermalTake Armor + MX
Burners - Liteon LH-20A1S & Pioneer DVR-215D
PSU - OCZ GamerXstreme 700w

I still need to get a cpu fan, aftermarket heat sink and some case mod stuff.

Now being the novice that I am one thing I didn't do until after the fact was check the compatibility on the ram - and guess what it's not on the QVL - ugh!!

Next project - putting this together and hoping it all works (fingers crossed!). Hopefully that won't take me 7 months!

Pics coming if it's a success :)

Video Games Aren't Just for Kids

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 11 Jul 2008 22:04:56 GMT

Think video games are just a kid thing? Well think again - the average of a gamer is 35.

When I first saw that I was a little suprised but thinking about it made sense.

Take me for example. Now being a girl I wouldn't give my age - you know it's a girl thing :) But let's just say it's been awhile since I've been to high school. I remember playing Pong as a kid when it first came out - that was a big deal back then!

Then the social life in high school of hitting the arcade on the weekends and playing Galaga. Advance a few years and now I'm buying consoles for my kid. Of course I have to help her learn how to play :)

With the advancements in technology the graphics and realism of the games has held my interest in video games. Throw in the Wii and you now add a whole different demographic - senior citizens - using it to stay active.

Another suprising statistic is women account for 40% of game players - more women over the age of 18 play then boys 17 & under.

For more interesting statistics check out ESA's Industry Facts.

School -- 1957 vs. 2008

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 05 Jul 2008 17:59:46 GMT

Someone emailed this me - what a difference 50 years make.

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2008 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2008 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2008 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2008 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2008 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college

2008 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.

1957 - Ants die.

2008- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated; Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2008 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Nero's New Forum

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 21 Jun 2008 00:10:03 GMT

Since Nero now has a forum for users to post questions for help with Nero's software - let's take a peek at how to post on a forum :)

Posting and You Video

Avenged Sevenfold

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 20 Jun 2008 01:30:29 GMT

As some of you may know I'm a big music lover - well a rocker :)

I've been listening to this band, Avenged Sevenfold, for the past few years but after their self titled last album released 10/07, they've made it into my top 10 ten favs.

The guitars are just awesome throughout the cd along w/ M. Shadows vocals. It's hard for me not to bang my head listening to them on a mp3 player walking the dog :)

Here's a teaser video of one of my favorites off the cd. If you like hard rock - give it a listen!

click here to watch the included content

Lions have a heart

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 15 Jun 2008 01:41:06 GMT

I don't know the whole story but as they say 'a picture is worth a thousand words' or in this case a video :)

Check out this video and see what I mean - it's too cool!

The lady and the lion

Woo Hoo My Kid Finally Graduates :)

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 01 Jun 2008 01:14:21 GMT

A couple of weeks ago my daughter graduated college. I couldn't be more proud of her. That and the savings on my wallet :)

Congrats Amanda!!

Linkin Park at 1st Mariner Arena

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 21 Feb 2008 02:59:29 GMT

Last night Linkin Park played at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Md. For any Linkin Park fans out there - the show was awesome.

Coheed and Cambria opened - while I'm not a big fan of them and only caught maybe half of their set - they actually put on a good show.

Next on my 2008 concert hit list - Chevelle & Finger Eleven in March.

A short video of last nights show - No More Sorrow.

click here to watch the included content

Using Recode to Convert a Movie for your PSP

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 17 Feb 2008 00:33:28 GMT

Nero Recode will convert and transfer your movies to your psp - it's very easy - just a few clicks.

Take a peek at the guide. (you might need to turn the volume up - oops:) )

click here to watch the included content

Add or change your profile/avatar picture in My Nero

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 17 Nov 2007 16:52:42 GMT

Don't want to have the black silhouette or one of my.nero defaults characters for your avatar? Here's how to change or add your own.

Go to My Profile> General and click on the edit button. In profile picture click on 'use your own'.

Now you'll get the Nero storage window to find and upload your picture. Click on browse to find the picture on your pc to upload. Once you find it and open it click on upload.

Now that it's uploaded put a check next to the picture you want to use and click on 'use as profile image'. Your picture will now show. But 1 last step :) Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on save.

Now you picture is your profile picture :)

Changing the default folders for Vision and Recode

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 17 Nov 2007 00:35:36 GMT

Changing the default folders for Recode and Vision is pretty easy. Here's how:

Recode

In the last screen of Recode just click on the 'browse' button under 'Folder for temporary folders'. Then just select which folder and/or drive you want to save it to.

Vision

Open Vision then click on More>Configure>Folder tab. Here you can change the path for the different default folders.

Open an avi file to convert and burn in Nero 8

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 11 Nov 2007 18:02:49 GMT

JayCeeT asked how to burn a video with Nero 8. The file is an avi so here's one way to open Vision to convert and burn.

To open an avi, wmv, dvr-ms etc one way is open to the start page then click on 'Create and Edit' then 'Author, Edit and Capture Video'.

Now Vision will be open. Click on 'Make DVD' then DVD-Video'

Add the file(s) by clicking on 'Add Video Files'. In the window find the file then click open.

For the rest of the process here's a guide for Nero 7's Vision - Nero 8 is somewhat similar but I need to do a new guide. Hopefully I'll do that in the coming days :)

No Frills Nero 7 Vision guide

Halloween

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 01 Nov 2007 01:57:16 GMT

It's that day of the year that most kids love - Halloween and all the candy.

My daughter dressed up this year as the cowardly lion. So she was stuck handing out all the candy :)

I, on the other hand had to control the beast , Chewbacca, who was scaring away the kids. Don't know which one of us had the worst job :)

Here's my daughter and her boyfriend - he was no fool, no costume for him :)

Five Finger Death Punch - The Bleeding

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 26 Oct 2007 23:02:07 GMT

Some of you may like this and some may hate it but I thought I share it anyhow :)

Not a well known band but that's the one thing I love about satellite radio - you get to hear non mainstream music - uncensored and with no commercials.

For you hard rock lovers check out Octane on Sirius - my fav satellite radio station.

Not big into metal myself but this song is like a mix of metal and hard rock.

click here to watch the included content

Adjusting Video Size In Vision

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 24 Oct 2007 23:30:31 GMT

Have a file or some files you want to add but Vision is saying to large to fit to disc? Then try changing the quality setting in Vision.

In Vision click on More> Video Options>DVD-Video tab. Under quality setting is where you can change it.

By default Nero is set to automatic - this is usually the best setting to keep it at.

When you change the quality setting you are changing the bit rate - the lower the bit rate the smaller the file but quality will also go down. Standard and down in the pick list are the options that will lower the bit rate. You can also pick custom and type in which bit rate to use.
You might want to save to your hard drive 1st & play it to make sure the quality is still acceptable for your needs.

Nero 8 - Convert and Export Video to the Web Guide

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 13 Oct 2007 16:22:37 GMT

New to Vision is the addition of exporting video to a websites - My Nero, You Tube and My Space.

Open Vision and pick either Make DVD or Make Movie. For this guide I'm using the Make DVD option.

In the Content Screen pick add file then find you file and click add. By default Nero is leaving the name of the clip the vob file name. To change that right click on the file once added and pick rename. Now click on export.

Once you click on export scroll down to the option Export to Web. Then click on Export. Vision will now convert the file.

When Nero is done you'll get a pop to login into My Nero. Once you login you can fill out your blog here - title, description, tags etc. You can also change which site you want to upload to at the bottom right hand side.

Once you filled in what you want click upload and Nero will upload the file to the site and create your blog.

And here is the final product - my blog created w/ Vision for My Nero - link.

IronMan - Live On the Mountain

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 12 Oct 2007 22:40:23 GMT

Here's a video of a friend of mines latest band. Not exactly my type of rock - but not bad at all :) I think it falls under the doom/stoner rock genre. Their shows are always a great time :) My friend is the bassist so he's the best one in the band :)

A little wiki on them - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man_(band)

Their myspace page - http://myspace.com/ironmanband

Decoding the Past

MyNeroUserWithNicknamebinkie7@nero.com (binkie7) — 09 Oct 2007 02:18:13 GMT

I'm no doomsday sayer type person at all by far but I caught this show on the history channel last night that was pretty interesting.
I love ancient history - that's what drew my attention cause i was just flipping thru the channels late last night.

It talks about how accurate some ancient prophecies and oracles were and the end of days. Something about the earth's alignment w/ a black hole and the sun (? - I think it was) that only happens every 250,000 years. I feel asleep before I caught the whole
thing :)

Anyhow if you're into that stuff check it out - Doomsday 2012: The End of Days

Guess I'll need to live it up the next few years :0)